POTSDAM -- Black Lives Matter of Potsdam will hold a march and rally on Saturday, August 15 at noon at the U.S. Post Office in Potsdam.

The group states they are committed to a peaceful event, as the over 80 events they have organized this year have been, and note that only peaceful protesters are welcome.

“We will let our songs and signs do the talking,” states organizer Jennifer Baxtron. Masks and social distancing are also required.

The event is in response to a concurrent parade scheduled on the theme of “Back the Blue” (fire fighters, EMT, police, military) in Potsdam. First responders will be honored and upheld by the community, which BLM Potsdam states “...are very important in our everyday lives. We are grateful for their service and thank them. We are not anti-police, but we are anti-police brutality and killings. What we do not tolerate is when law enforcement does nothing to protect and get justice for Black people and people of color.”

A press statement from BLM Potsdam notes that they are “building a positive relationship with law enforcement and the Mayor and Potsdam Village Board.

“We're not saying that ‘only’ Black lives matter, because ‘every life’ should matter. We insist that law enforcement and other responders treat people of color like we do matter.”